Implants and Pain: What Factors it Depends on
Understandably, in many cases, potential Pain in Dental Implants is something that discourages a portion of patients from undergoing implant surgery. Fully and thoroughly informing the patient about the potential pain and ways to deal with it helps them to overcome their fear and opt for this very effective definitive implant treatment. The oral surgeon must thoroughly inform his patient about every possibility and guide him properly, so that he can rid himself of anxiety and make the most appropriate choice for him.
Of course, the many years of experience of the Oral Surgeon play a crucial role in reducing the pain of implants, as the more experienced he is, the shorter, gentler and more precise the invasive procedure is, which reduces postoperative pain to a large extent. The medical team that takes care of the patient along with the Oral Surgeon plays an equally important role, as full training, expertise and extensive experience reduces the chances of the patient being in pain.
Also, there is a big difference between choosing a dentist and a Dental Surgeon, as the latter has additional studies and an additional specialization, which allows him to carry out even the most difficult procedures with absolute precision and success. It is necessary for the patient to carefully consider the whole range of options and the parameters that make a doctor suitable to undertake a particular operation. The dentist’s lack of experience can bring about unpleasant complications to the patient, such as nerve damage or some others that are embarrassing and painful.
Our clinic provides a range of specialized services performed by our fully trained medical team who, in collaboration with our experienced Oral Surgeon, ensure the ultimate safety and the best possible outcome for each patient. Our aim is for the patient to feel safe, confident and comfortable in a friendly and accessible environment, where every question will be solved and the patient will be confident in their decision to trust us.
Which Procedures May Cause Pain to the Patient
Dental implant surgery is performed under local anesthesia and, depending on the condition of the patient’s mouth, it is possible that special regeneration and preparation procedures may need to be performed. Under normal circumstances, the patient should not experience any pain or discomfort in the mouth during the procedure. Pain, tenderness and possible minor discomfort occur after the invasive procedure and the intensity is the same or less than that felt by the patient during tooth extraction. The pain that occurs postoperatively is tolerable and in most cases passes or is significantly reduced with simple painkillers.
Depending on the type of invasive procedure, it is determined whether and how much pain the patient will experience. In more detail:
- Surgical Placement of Dental Implants
This is a painless invasive procedure where the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort and is performed under local anesthesia.
- Bone Regeneration
Depending on the individual case and the patient’s needs, the Oral Surgeon may perform a procedure that involves pain. In most cases, however, no painful procedure is required in the stages of bone regeneration, except in cases where special surgery is needed, such as sinus elevation, tooth extraction and bone grafting. Pre-operative examinations performed on every patient who visits our clinic indicate with absolute accuracy whether it is necessary to perform any such invasive treatment.
a) Sinus Elevation
In the case where the sinus elevation procedure is deemed necessary, which is performed under local anesthesia and lasts for more than an hour, the patient quite often experiences pain and/or tenderness in the face, nose and jaw. Of course, with the use of specific painkillers this discomfort subsides.
b) Tooth extraction is performed in case the remaining natural teeth have suffered severe damage that cannot be repaired, in which case tooth extraction is necessary, followed by the placement of implants using the Teeth in 1 day – All-in-4 method However, there may be mild pain postoperatively, which is treated with painkillers.
c) Bone Graft
The surgical placement of a bone graft is performed under local anesthesia and the patient may experience swelling of the jaw, which is usually treated with a special anti-inflammatory drug or painkiller, resulting in suppress of discomfort.
Factors Contributing to Pain Reduction
Plus, there are a number of factors that help reduce postoperative pain. The first factor is the proper selection of the Maxillofacial Surgeon who will have the necessary knowledge, expertise, years of experience and the ability to best deal with any unforeseen situation that may arise.
Another factor is nutrition and proper oral care by the patient. For a few days, the patient needs to avoid hot and straw-based drinks, as well as water bottles and mouthwashes. It is also essential not to chew sticky and hard foods but to choose soft foods or grind them in a blender for about two weeks after surgery. In addition, the patient needs to have a balanced diet to get all the vitamins and nutrients that will contribute to immediate and proper healing, preventing inflammation.
Furthermore, the patient needs to take proper care of his teeth to create the right environment for the gums and implants. Frequent cleaning after each meal and the use of a non-alcoholic mouthwash are essential in order to completely disinfect the mouth and prevent tooth damage and gum disease. A clean oral environment helps to reduce post-operative pain.
Another factor is sleep, which has been proven to contribute significantly to proper and immediate healing. The patient needs to sleep for at least 8 hours after surgical implant placement, and should also avoid vigorous physical activities for at least a week after surgery. Furthermore, it is necessary for the patient to stop smoking after implant surgery, as smoking significantly slows down the healing process and makes the oral cavity vulnerable to infections. Another inhibitor of healing is alcohol, which the patient should abstain from for at least three days after surgery.
Finally, the oral surgeon prescribes painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs and possibly antibiotics in order to reduce pain. If you are taking any additional medication, it is necessary to inform your Oral Surgeon immediately.
Direct contact and good communication with your chosen Maxillofacial Surgeon play a big role in the success of the whole procedure, as he or she will provide you with the appropriate guidance and the necessary advice to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Pain is a normal consequence of surgical dental implant placements, but it can be significantly reduced or even avoided altogether with proper management and the right movements. Our clinic provides you with leading scientists, state-of-the-art medical equipment, and a warm and comfortable environment to ensure your safety and good health.
